Gerard Warren is gone

The Raiders released nose tackle Gerard Warren, the first player traded from Denver to Oakland since Willie Brown, according to former Raiders exec Michael Lombardi of the National Football Post.

Warren came to the Raiders just before the 2007 season. His departure, first predicted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, clears the way for yet another young player to get more snaps.

Dez Bryant, and not the stud receiver from Oklahoma State. The Raiders’ Desmond Bryant was an undrafted rookie out of Harvard who steadily worked his way into the defensive line rotation.

Bryant had 32 tackles — within three of Warren, an every-game starter, and a forced fumble. Only two rookie tackles had more stops. Raw out of college, the coaching staff loved his high ceiling. He’s already been in Alameda this offseason working with new defensive line coach Mike Waufle.

They still need to add depth to the tackle rotation, with William Joseph a free agent and Warren out. But Bryant is very much in the mix for increased playing time.